Rep. Steve Carra

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4473 proposes to amend existing Michigan law regarding official state personal identification cards. The bill specifically prohibits the Secretary of State from issuing state personal identification cards that comply with Title II of the federal Real ID Act of 2005. This means that official state personal identification cards issued in Michigan would not meet federal Real ID standards. This change directly affects Michigan residents who apply for or hold state identification cards.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Michigan voters to verify U.S. citizenship before registering to vote or casting a ballot. It directly affects new voters registering after December 18, 2026, who must provide proof of citizenship (like a birth certificate) to election officials or have the Secretary of State verify it using federal records. The amendment mandates the Secretary of State to systematically check citizenship status annually, remove unverified non-citizens from voter files within 60 days of notice, and allow provisional ballots only if citizenship is verified within six days after an election. It also requires annual reports on verification results and removals. The bill does not affect current registered voters.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4374 proposes to exempt certain properties from the state education tax, effective for taxes levied after December 31, 2025. This bill directly affects owners of residential real property and specific agricultural properties. To qualify, agricultural property must have a single-family dwelling occupied by an owner actively involved in farming who has not claimed a principal residence exemption on other property. The bill will only take effect if House Bill 4373 is also enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 4373 proposes to amend the State Education Tax Act by creating new property tax exemptions. Beginning in 2026, the bill would exempt residential real property from the state education tax. It would also exempt certain qualified agricultural property that includes a single-family dwelling, provided the owner actively uses the land for agriculture and has not claimed a principal residence exemption on other property. This change directly affects owners of qualifying residential and agricultural properties by removing their obligation to pay the state education tax.

Maddy summaryHB 4310 requires the Michigan legislature to approve, via a joint vote, any overseas travel by the governor paid for with taxpayer funds. The bill mandates that such approval must include specific details: the travel dates, destination location, and purpose of the trip. This applies only to governor-funded international trips, not domestic travel or other expenses. The bill does not change existing travel rules but adds a legislative oversight step for overseas trips. It is currently in committee referral after introduction on March 27, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4186 increases Michigan's business income tax rate from 4.95% to 30% for all business activity occurring on or after January 1, 2025. This rate change directly affects businesses operating within Michigan that are subject to the state's business tax, including those previously filing under the corporate income tax act. The bill amends sections 201 and 500 of the Michigan Business Tax Act (2007 PA 36) to implement this rate increase and adjust the tax base calculations for businesses. The change represents a significant policy shift in how Michigan taxes business income, effective in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4170 permanently sets Michigan's individual income tax rate at 4.05% for all taxpayers, replacing a temporary 4.25% rate scheduled to take effect in 2024. It creates a mechanism where the rate could decrease further if state revenue growth exceeds inflation, requiring annual revenue reviews. The bill directly affects all Michigan residents who pay individual income tax. The change takes effect immediately for tax years beginning January 1, 2025, with the 4.05% rate now permanent unless triggered by the revenue growth condition.

Maddy summaryHR 40 is a non-binding resolution urging the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) to update its eligibility rules for female athletes to comply with Executive Order 14201. The resolution states that MHSAA’s current rules, which allow biological males to compete in women’s sports, conflict with the federal executive order prioritizing female-only competition. It argues this noncompliance risks jeopardizing federal funding for Michigan school districts and compromises the safety and fairness of women’s athletic competitions. The resolution was adopted by the Michigan House with 66 yeas, 43 nays, and 1 excused vote on March 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 4188 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to clarify that operating a vehicle "in a careless or negligent manner likely to endanger any person or property, but without wantonness or recklessness" would be classified as a civil infraction. This change directly affects drivers whose behavior meets this specific standard - non-reckless, careless driving - by treating it as a civil matter rather than a criminal offense. The bill modifies Section 626b of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.626b) to explicitly exclude cases involving "wantonness or recklessness," which would remain subject to more severe penalties. The amendment is procedural and aims to refine the legal definition of the infraction. The bill was introduced on March 6, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 4164 adds new definitions to Michigan's military law to clarify when the Michigan National Guard can be deployed into active combat. It defines "active duty combat" as participating in armed conflict, hazardous service related to conflict abroad, or war-related duties, and specifies that an "official declaration of war" requires a formal act by the U.S. Congress under the Constitution. This bill directly affects Michigan National Guard deployments by requiring state officials to confirm Congress has declared war before sending troops into combat roles. The definitions would guide state officials in determining whether a deployment complies with the law, preventing unilateral state decisions for combat missions.